President writes to head of IOC on Sáblíková's behalf

President Miloš Zeman said on Friday after meeting with three-time Olympic
gold medal winner in speed skating Martina Sáblíková that he had written
a letter to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas
Bach, asking for her to be given a wild card entry. Weeks before the start
of the summer games, the athlete and her coach were stunned to learn that
she was not listed among competitors who qualified for the road cycling
event, apparently due to a mistaken understanding of the rules by the Czech
Cycling Association. Sáblíková had been training intensively for the Rio
games, assured she had qualified for a spot.